[ochness]

So the town I live in has installed photo red light cameras at a few intersections. On my way home last night I was driving toward one of these intersections at about 45 mph when the light changes to yellow. In the split second I made the decision to stop instead of go through the light. So I hit the brakes and that is when the fun started...the bike locked up and started fishtailing so I was working the brake but everytime I would hit them it would lock up again. I finally got it stopped cross ways in my lane in the cross walk, but it was leaning half way over on the floor board. I guess I had enough adrenaline going as I righted the bike with little effort. Luckly all I have is a small mark on my right side floor board...no exhaust scrape or anything. My pride was hurt the worst.

Now that I look back at it I guess I should have just gone through the yellow and risked the possible ticket. Live and learn I guess.....

 

[trkrJeff]

I bet it got your picture. If its yellow it starts taking pics of cars crossing the solid line, before the crosswalk.

And, now you know you should maybe give your brakes a onceover.

 

[ochness]

Didn't think about looking at the brakes...I will have to do that. I have been waiting on a new tire, but I don't think I'm going to wait much longer...I know that probably aided in the loss of traction.

 

[pastordave]

Well not to turn this into a darkside ad but one of the many advantages of the ct is how it holds the road in a hard stop, even on a curve. It is worth it just for this advantage alone in my opinion.

Pdave

 

[whiskeyrockr]

don't be embarassed, live and learn is what i say

 

[ochness]

Thanks Dave...I have been thinking about going to the darkside, and this may have just sealed the deal!

I just need to find someone in the Portland Oregon area that will install it. I have talked to a couple of places and they won't do it.

 

[Eazy-E]

Camera's suck, they did away with them here cause they caused to much chit. Glad you saved it.

 

[pastordave]

Thanks Dave...I have been thinking about going to the darkside, and this may have just sealed the deal!

I just need to find someone in the Portland Oregon area that will install it. I have talked to a couple of places and they won't do it.

You are welcome. I actually had to do a hard stop on a curve and the tire just hugged the road like a long lost friend and wouldn't let go. No fish tail no nothing, except had to go home and change my drawers.
Keep looking around. Just tell them that you know that you are nuts for doing this, that you take sole responsibility for doing this, etc. etc. I found mine at a local bike shop. Good luck.

Pdaveatriot:

 

[hogcowboy]

And, now you know you should maybe give your brakes a onceover.

Why would there be a potential brake problem. They did what they are supposed to do and stopped the bike. It's not like he was riding the brakes, just using them. I don't get why there might be a problem. Splain.

 

[Good Old Rebel]

They sell these camera as a "safety" thing. What they don't tell you when they install cameras is that they cut the normal time the the light stays yellow by about 1/3. This add lots of new revenue to the city budget. Accidents go way up as folk slam on the brakes rather than risk getting caught in the intersection by the cameras.
Since I went Darkside, I find I can't lock up my rear tire. I can stand on the rear brake and it just slows me down, tracks straight and NEVER tries to swap ends. Biggest problem is trying to not come off the seat when the bike goes from 65 to 0 in about 3 seconds!

Rebel

 

[trkrJeff]

Why would there be a potential brake problem. They did what they are supposed to do and stopped the bike. It's not like he was riding the brakes, just using them. I don't get why there might be a problem. Splain.

I guess, anytime I have a brake lock up, I'm going to check it to make sure nothings wrong. Even if it was due to me yanking on the bar. Always side with safety.

 

[ochness]

There was a new article here about the red light cameras...I didn't get to see it but a friend was telling me about it. In the surrounding towns they have issued about 20,000 tickets in about a years time. Yes I think it's a BIG revenue maker!

 

[hogcowboy]

I guess, anytime I have a brake lock up, I'm going to check it to make sure nothings wrong. Even if it was due to me yanking on the bar. Always side with safety.

Yea but the brakes should be robust enough to take an occasional lock up I would think or is the brake system a weak point on a VTX. Just wondering is all.

 

[trkrJeff]

Yea but the brakes should be robust enough to take an occasional lock up I would think or is the brake system a weak point on a VTX. Just wondering is all.

They should be fine, I'm just saying look them over. I used to ride dirt bike on the farm in my younger days to get the cows in. I locked the brakes once, I learned (after a long walk back up the hill to my bike) to keep a closer eye in things like that.

 

[ozzyman]

It might be the same but in California the cameras are owned by a third party civilian agency. As a result of this they cannot issue you a ticket soley based on the photo. They send you a letter in the mail(the civilian agency) and if you sign it and mail it back you have essentially admitted guilt and then they turn it into the cops to issue a ticket.

So basically I ignore the letter and nothing happens!

 

[hdixon]

I bet it got your picture. If its yellow it starts taking pics of cars crossing the solid line, before the crosswalk.

And, now you know you should maybe give your brakes a onceover.

My wife got one of those in the mail about a month ago. They even sent video links. Boy do they rub it in.

 

[trkrJeff]

My wife got one of those in the mail about a month ago. They even sent video links. Boy do they rub it in.

I got one in the semi from Hannibal, MO. They sent 4 pics, you could clearly see it was me driving.:banghead:

 

[ozzyman]

I got one in the semi from Hannibal, MO. They sent 4 pics, you could clearly see it was me driving.:banghead:

Look into your states laws and what organization owns and operates the cameras, The letter they send you though it seems undeniable, may be a letter they need you to sign admitting guilt. I know this is a the case in CA. If you don't sign the letter they can't issue a ticket 99+% of the time

 

[MOJO65]

I had one of those camera vans try to pop me in Denver one night, too bad for him we had to go through a nasty snow storm and both the front and rear of my semi was covered in snow, Lic plate, company info and truck/trailer numbers were not visible!
:cheers:

 

[Big Blue]

Well not to turn this into a darkside ad but one of the many advantages of the ct is how it holds the road in a hard stop, even on a curve. It is worth it just for this advantage alone in my opinion.

Pdave

What good is a CT on the back when during a hard stop almost all the weight is on the front tire? All a rear CT is good for in that situation is laying rubber to show your intent to stop.

What we need is CTs on the front.